 "Former Indian cricketers has warned against growing ambiguity in the ODI team. Images: PTI/Reuters")
Former Indian team chief selector MSK Prasad and ex-wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta have urged the current management, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors, and the batting duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to set aside any differences that may exist and arrive at a clear conclusion on how they plan to execute the transition in the national side.
Former India cricketers MSK Prasad and Deep Dasgupta’s advice has come at a crucial stage when an explosive media report has claimed that the environment in the Indian ODI side dressing room is very “poor” and that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli are no longer on speaking terms .
Team India’s dressing room discord raises fear
A report in the Times of India has also claimed that Gambhir seeks full control of the dressing room in ODIs, a complete free will to implement his vision on the 50-over format, but the presence of Kohli and Rohit is proving to be an impediment.
As a result, uncertainty continues around how long Kohli and Rohit will continue in the ODIs despite being in top form. In the Ranchi ODI vs South Africa on Sunday, Rohit made 57, while Kohli blasted 135 .
But as the stalwarts have retired from Tests and T20Is, there’s a feeling that it would be difficult for them to continue till the 2027 ODI World Cup. The BCCI recently promoted Shubman Gill to the captaincy role in ODIs due to the same thinking.
There are also reports that BCCI could hold a meeting with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Gambhir after the South Africa ODIs to chalk out a proper roadmap for Kohli and Rohit for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which would also counter fears related to match-fitness.
Amid the raging debate over Kohli and Rohit’s place in the ODIs and the rumours of discord in the dressing room, former BCCI head selector MSK Prasad has said that Gambhir must use the influence of the veterans like Shastri did with Dhoni.
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Despite Dhoni resigning as captain in ODIs and Kohli taking over, the former India captain from Ranchi had continued to lead the side in his own way by setting the fields during bowling. Prasad wants Gambhir to follow that example and allow Rohit and Kohli to be the guiding light for the youngsters.
“The camaraderie between head coach Ravi Shastri, Kohli and MS Dhoni is an example. We didn’t even announce a vice-captain to start with. Dhoni played the mentor to Kohli and Kohli reciprocated it. Similarly, Kohli and Rohit should be told that they can be the guiding light for Gill. Let them have a say when they want to,” Prasad told the Times of India.
Prasad added that instead of putting Rohit and Kohli regularly on a trial, the BCCI must make clear communication over what it wants from the star batters.
“First thing that needs to be ensured is that you shouldn’t be messing with the minds of such big players. They are the ones who are performing, not the younger lot. It will be ideal if they play domestic cricket when they are not on national duty, because that will also inspire the young players in the state teams. But one should be careful that the issue is not brought up all the time. We never had a word with Dhoni about playing domestic cricket. He played whenever he felt it was necessary,” Prasad added.
“There should be clear communication up front. Or else, stick to the perform-or-perish policy. There should not be any scope for ambiguity.”
Former India opener Dasgupta spoke on similar lines, stating that there needs to be clear future planning to avoid any confusion or discord in the team.
“You can’t go into every series with the same discussions going around. One needs to sit with them and get everything sorted. The team management and selectors need to spell out clearly what they expect from Kohli and Rohit. Similarly, Rohit and Kohli also offer an idea of how they want to plan their preparation for the World Cup in 2027. You want the dressing room to be a fun place and at peace,” Dasgupta told the Times of India.
While there will be differences of opinion regarding Rohit and Kohli’s roles and there would be worries around their match-readiness, it would be in the best interest of the Indian cricket team that the BCCI, selectors and coach Gambhir quickly reach a definite plan for the 2027 ODI World Cup. No one wants a repeat of the 2007 World Cup.